Mad Manatee Mentors CLOSED (Poptart/pet pic bribes?) (Page 60)

Part of why I'm still on my old P2.  Fits my odd body habitus (long torso compared to my legs - Flight Surgeon once told me, "Son, God cheated you out of your legs... But that's good as you likely won't break them BOTH when you eject").

I've found that a very aggressive position on my road bike is dang close to a comfortable position on my tri bike over the same courses (faster on some of the spikey hilly ones here, actually).  However, when I'm dialed in on the P2, it's definitely a faster rig on all but the silliest of hilliest rides.

As for the pricing thing, yes, all bikes are spendy.  No doubt and no way around needing at least some discretionary cash.  But a really solid race rig doesn't have to break the bank.  I bought my bike used (it's an '09) and a set of very nice used wheels, including a disc - and it was way less than I spent on my nice but not crazy nice roadie.  In fact, it was all in barely more than a new disc!  (my wheels are all tubies, which helped keep costs down, too).  I did add a PM, which was a large percentage of the total value, but is definitely not needed to race well (just don't tell that to The Better Half). 

The difference between an old P2 and a new superbike is in the many thousands of dollars level, but the difference in time across an oly I suspect would be well (well) under a minute for most of us - even the FOP folks.  So, one can definitely challenge the FOP with a cheap rig.  By no means a free ride, so to speak, but doesn't have to be cra-cra expensive to contend with the pointy end, IMO/E. 

Matt

Yes, certainly.

I totally get the people that really like that stuff. Just for me, there are way too many variables for me to keep track of. I mean, have you seen my life? I think that's why simplicity of running is so appealing to me. 

But if I wanted to be competitive that stuff would absolutely matter. It's not *just* ride more in that sport. It would be irresponsible to neglect all the other stuff. And being rich would help  

I have been pleasantly surprised at how fun MTB can be.  I've done one cyclocross races, and it was a chaotic blast as well.  It's very laid back compared to road riding. 

I'm not sure if people can view this, but here's a video of me tackling a cyclocross obstacle:
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153380979419554&pnref=story

Fun times for sure.

Good for you to give it a shot.  That looks like a really cool setting.

I didn't make it to my first race this fall.  Got a super nice CX bike (Di2, carbon, etc.) and went to some of the weekly practices that a large group do here.  Popped my calf avoiding someone who fell right in front of me as I was dismounting for an obstacle.  That kind of ended my season.  But it was a lot of fun and I discovered gravel grinding which is a good compromise.  We have some great dirt roads and gravel paths that are perfect for off road cycling.  There is a series of off road gran fondos in Eastern Washington that I want to try.

Check out the wild horse at about 30 seconds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dGSXa2nfCPE&x-yt-ts=1421914688&x-yt-cl=84503534

Good for you to give it a shot.  That looks like a really cool setting.

I didn't make it to my first race this fall.  Got a super nice CX bike (Di2, carbon, etc.) and went to some of the weekly practices that a large group do here.  Popped my calf avoiding someone who fell right in front of me as I was dismounting for an obstacle.  That kind of ended my season.  But it was a lot of fun and I discovered gravel grinding which is a good compromise.  We have some great dirt roads and gravel paths that are perfect for off road cycling.  There is a series of off road gran fondos in Eastern Washington that I want to try.

Check out the wild horse at about 30 seconds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dGSXa2nfCPE&x-yt-ts=1421914688&x-yt-cl=84503534

Adrienne, I have not been on the ironhorse trail but I know about it.  There is a multisport race in September that uses the ironhorse for the off road cycling segment.  I've put together a team several years for the Bellingham Traverse (same series).  Last year we missed the podium by less than a minute.  Here is our super awesome team's finish photo.  Team has to rally at the end of the kayak portion for a half mile run together to the finish.  My daughter is in the shades next to me, next to her my SOL, the guy on the other end is a local legend MTB'er (a serious badazz).  Most awesome race experience of my life.  Here is also a link to the race in September.

http://www.recreationnorthwest.org/north-bend-traverse/

Good for you to give it a shot.  That looks like a really cool setting.

I didn't make it to my first race this fall.  Got a super nice CX bike (Di2, carbon, etc.) and went to some of the weekly practices that a large group do here.  Popped my calf avoiding someone who fell right in front of me as I was dismounting for an obstacle.  That kind of ended my season.  But it was a lot of fun and I discovered gravel grinding which is a good compromise.  We have some great dirt roads and gravel paths that are perfect for off road cycling.  There is a series of off road gran fondos in Eastern Washington that I want to try.

Check out the wild horse at about 30 seconds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dGSXa2nfCPE&x-yt-ts=1421914688&x-yt-cl=84503534

Fly by post to ask a completely non-related-to-anything-being-discussed question.  Has anyone used airbnb to book accomodation?  

Great picture!  Looks like you all had a lot of fun.  Did the dog race too or just join in for the run to the finish? 

Yes several times. Generally really good. 

Awesome, thanks.  Copenhagen here we come 

Yes! And did you look at the race legs??? That's my kind of going...paddle, bike, bike, (little) run!!!

Hellll yes. Goalies are the best. I ALWAYS wanted to be one. 

I rode my bike today, btw